Collapsible or folding bridge.



m. 7|3,56I. D. uuvsu.

COLLAPSIBLE 0R FOLDING BRIDGE.

(Application filed June 11, 1901. Renewed Sept. 22, 1902.) (No Model.)

Patented Nov. ll, I902.

2 Sheets-$heet I.

Wz'anwaw: Ina/e21 tor.-

X Patented Roy. H, I902.

- No. 713,561. I

' I v n. 111mm.

COLLAPSIBLE 0R FOLDING BRIDGE. Application filed June 11, 1901. Renewed Sept. 2 2, 1902.)

2 Sheets Sheet 2.

6H0 Model.)

Wafneadeaf I forming part Letters Eaten't No. 713,561, dated. November RUSSELS, BEZGlUll.

i 'GLDlN'C-i BRHZGE.

ilpplicsticn filed June 11,1901. Renewed September 22, 1902. Serial No. 124,376. (No model.)

' rn, and a resident of 'nvented certain new ts in Collapsible or the following is a ges, the object being to prorov 1 construction enabling; the easily transported Whenever dc (lily unfolded and set up across 'e like for the passage of people in the construction nation of parts fully dced hereinafter. ompnnying drawings, Figure l is "'he bridge as it appears 'g. s a corresponding side elevation of dge. Fig. 4 shows e with the collapsible levers and their conar understanding of this 7, represent two pairs of mg each other at their medial iivotally connected at these points .ns of brace-bars The lower ends of lc'-'9rs arc pivotally connected to each I.er lr means oi brace-bars F 'F, While upper ends thereol are connected by 1nca..s o. pivotal bolts A B C. To each 11pl o per end of the levers are attached cords or chains S S to form the hand-rails. The door of the bridge is formed of long-hinged ferrules 1.] l J, to which are secured Wooden crossplanksl 2 3 4' 6 7 8, forming the floor proper. The floor is somewhat raised at the I; to increase the strength thereof. /Yhen idgc is collapsed or folded, the bracel overs A 13 U D are moved to "nd the several parts of the floor direction of the arrow 2:. are also fielded, so the the bridge to support the latter and enabling it to oscillate on said axle. The front and rear Wheels are connected by means of four girders O O P P, Fig. 2, connected by means of brace-bars R R. Mounted on said girders is a capstan adapted to be operated by mean-i of the crank-handles Q Q to fold and unfold the bridge. The cords or chains S S are attached to levers T T and Wound upon the rollers T T of the capstan. The object of said chains is to collapse the bridge by actuating the crank-handles, and in order to facilitate this manipulation the levers T T are made somewhat longer. The cords S S are attached to the brace-bar V and Wound upon the rollers U U of the capstan. The object of the chains S S is to unfold the bridge. The rollers T U are made or" diameters varying accordance with the length of the levers T T, so that the chains or cords Wound upon said rollers have always the same tension as the cords or chains unrolled for the purpose of giving the bridge equal rigidity in any operative position.

Figtd shows the bridge in its operative position-across a river X, for instance-one end Y of the bridge resting on the ground, While the opposite end is supported by the axle M. The bridge when opened out will he of an arched form by reason of the levers having different lengths. Thus the arms of the lovers A B C D, Fig. 4, above the floor of the bridge are longer than F F F. These differences in length aredetermined in accordance with the entire length of the bridge and the arch to he formed. In order to unfold the bridge, the capstan is actuated in one direction, whereby the bridge is slightly oscillated, as it is retained by the cords or chains S S, which are unrolled, While the cords or chains S S are wound upon the capstan.

" he weight of the bridge increases in prothe capstan.

2 classes portion as itis unfolded, and this Weight will be balanced by the distance a b and the weight of the truck, Fig. 3.

In order to efiect the collapse of the bridge, the capstan is actuated in opposite directions, the cords S S acting to fold the bridge, while the cords S S act to'retain the bridge until the bridge is brought to the position shown in Fig. 3.

The truck may be constructed as a motorvehicle, the motor thereof serving to actuate In certain cases the parts of the collapsible bridge may be removably connected to enable same to be transported by the porters. The improved bridge may also be employed without a transporting-truck, the bridge being then stationarily mounted in place on one side of a river and unfolded and collapsed whenever desired.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In the improved collapsible bridge, the combination with a series of pivotally-connected pairs of levers, adapted to be unfolded and collapsed and suitable brace-bars connecting said pairs of levers, of a wheeled truck supportingsaid levers and brace-bars,one end of the series of crossed levers being hinged to the rear axle of said truck, substantially as set forth.

2. In the improved collapsible bridge, the combination with a series of pivotally-oon nected pairs oflevers, adapted to be unfolded and collapsed and suitable brace-bars connecting said pairs of levers, and a collapsible fioor connected to the pivotal bolts of said levers and adaptedto form a nearly horizontal surface, of a wheeled truck, supporting said parts, one end of the series of crossed levers being hinged to the rear axle of said truck, substantially as set forth.

I 3. In the improved collapsible bridge, the combination with a series .of pairs of lovers, crossing each other and pivotally connected at their crossing-points, the arms of the levers above the crossing-points being longer thanthelever-arms belowsaid crossing points,

levers, and a collapsible floor connected to the pivotal bolts of said levers and adapted to form a nearly horizontal surface, of awheeled truck, supporti .g said parts, substantially as set forth.

4. In the improved collapsible bridge, the

combination with a series of pivotally-connected pairs of levers, adapted to be unfolded and collapsed and suitable brace-bars connecting said pairs of levers, and a collapsible fioor connected to the pivotal bolts of said levers and adapted to form a nearly horizontal surface, of a Wheeled truck, supporting said parts, a capstan mounted 'on said truck, cords or chains attached to levers of the bridge and adapted to be wound upon the capstan, and other cords attached to a brace-bar of the bridge and adapted to be unrolled from the capstan while the first-mentioned cords are wound upon the same, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

DENIS DOYEN. Witnesses:

C. Senna, GREGORY PHELAN.

suitable brace-bars connecting said pairs of 

